[General Questions and Answers] xexexexexexe:
To help everyone getting the max out of UMI X1, I'm putting here the info that is spread over the internet.

Special thanks to people on the thread #1978103

NOTICE: If you have any questions, go directly to the source of information.

NOTICE2: Since some of the files were very slow downloading (eg: BAIDU), i present here some alternative links.

Main Specs:

Official website: http://www.91umi.com/ (use GoogleTranslate)

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OP1 - Windows drivers installation

http://www.multiupload.nl/BR8XWD3TF4

[Source: MovilesDualSim.com]

(these drivers work with XP, and possibily with earlier Windows versions)<br>

OP2 - ROOT Access

First action: activate USB DEBUGGING mode.

a) Download and install SHUAME software

http://dl.shuame.com/files/1.0.9/ShuameSetup_1.0.9_general.exe

[Source - Shuame.com]

(it's in chinese, but the install is straight forward... next -> next, etc. )

b) Connect USB cable to the phone. Shuame will detect UMI X1, and you'll see a copy of your screen on the computer

c) Make this 2 clicks:

d) On next screen, click on the "blue" button to initiate the process. Phone will restart

several times

until finished

NOTICE: to un-root, just click the "root" button on the right (with the $ instead of the #)

OP3 - Install a Clockworkmod (CWM) based recovery console

With this step you'll be able to install non-official ROMS (not digitaly signed)

a) Download the new recovery image:

http://www.multiupload.nl/1210059PIM

[Source - MovilesDualSim.com]

b) Execute SHUAME, and click on button "Recovery":

c) click on the "blue" button -> and choose our IMG file -> click on the "blue" button again

The new recovery console will be installed. To access it:

- turn off Umi X1

- press POWER + VOL.UP, until the UMI logo shows up

- if you see a dead Android -> click HOME

- use vol+ and vol- keys to navigate thru options, and the POWER key to select.

Notice: some pre-recovery consoles have other keys, but the instructions are explicit.

Notice: you can make full backups with this recovery console.

OP4 - Install a new ROM

Most UMI X1 comes with ROM Android 4.0.4 - 20120914-215024

Other ROMS most used by the community:

- 4.0.4 (ICS) - "Samsung" style (LINK) - Source: gizhina.com

- 4.0.4 (ICS) - 20121118 - Official with several fixes - http://pan.baidu.com/share/link?shareid=176071&uk=3022536317

- 4.1.2 (JB) - 20130101 - Official - http://pan.baidu.com/share/link?shareid=210913&uk=3022536317

- 4.1.2 (JB) - 20130109 - Based on Official, with several fixes - http://www.romzj.com/resources/other.html?view=rom&id=6855&layout=default

- 4.1.2 (JB) - 20130118 - Based on Official, with several fixes - http://pan.baidu.com/share/link?shareid=270874&uk=3355610835

Notice: this last one needs some additional tweaks:

-> Install GoogleApps via recovery console http://www.multiupload.nl/F6XPEKN0M0

(GoogleApps also available here: http://goo.im/gapps/gapps-jb-20121011-signed.zip )

-> Copy these Calendar files to /system/app with root explorer and set correct permissions (same as the others) (Source: XDA-Developers - sonof)

-> Install the app "SmartHosts" from the GooglePlay/Market, and update your hosts file in order to make GoogleNews, Facebook, etc. working

[Source1 - ROMJZ.COM]

[Source2 - XDA-DEVELOPERS]

To install a new ROM:

a) copy the ROM ZIP file to the microSD card

b) enter recovery mode - look at the previous question

c) (advisable) make a full backup of the existing ROM

option Backup&Restore -> Backup (it will take long...)

the backup will be on the SD card, folder clockworkmod

d) select option "wipe data / factory reset" -> choose option "YES"

e) select option "install zip from sdcard" -> "choose zip from sdcard" -> choose the ZIP file -> "YES"

f) after "reboot system", the new ROM will be operational.

g) in case the ROM has "chinese" language by default, goto settings menu (the settings icon is easy to find) and choose your language:

OP5 - Readjust the internal storage size

Sometimes, after installing a new ROM, the ROM 4GB get wrongly shared between the "internal storage" and the "phone storage".

Since "phone storage" is a kind of SD which is less used than the "internal storage", is advisable to share the space like this:

2,5Gb: apps / internal storage

80Mb: phone storage

Remaining: ocuppied by the Android ROM

To do that, you just have to use one of these ZIP files:

2,5Gb (recommended) http://www.multiupload.nl/89HKJLG1BI

1,5Gb http://www.multiupload.nl/ZLVMPDAO1V

a) copy the ZIP file to the microSD card

b) Enter recovery console

c) Make a full backup

d) Apply update from SDCard -> choose the ZIP (1,5gb or 2,5gb)

e) reboot and restart phone - (it will say that the storage is corrupted, but don't mind it for now)

f) if the space is not OK (eg: still 500Mb), power off -> enter console recovery -> restore your backup

i) after reboot, and after having the desirable space (2.5gb or 1,5gb) you can go with Android suggestion, and format the SDCard -> the error will disapear. (Notice: you are not formating the microSD card, just the "internal phone" storage

[Source - XDA-DEVELOPERS]

OP6 - Correct problems with GPS

There have been a lot of comments about the GPS functionality on this phone, including several tweaks and tutorials, some with hardware changes, etc..etc...

What I have acknowledged, after having 2 original (no modifications) UMI X1 side by side (one with a KFT antenna, and other without it):

1- It's advisable to do some things in order to make the GPS work faster when you need it

2- GPS reception is not extraordinary good, but it also is not bad, and surely not worse than most Android models with GPS, including the ones from Samsung

3- Antenna changes, or metalic foil "upgrades" may or not be positive, regarding increased signal. Whoever wants may try it, but not necessarily needing to damage/open your UMI X1.

4- About the EPO files: there was some problems with Mediatek servers on Nov/2012, but they look to be solved now, so you won't need to download these files via a FTP client. Just let your phone do it!

However, if your EPO files are not downloading, (goes till 25% or 50% and restarts):

- Install app "Root Browser Lite"

- Goto /data/misc

- Change permissions of mtkgps.dat, EPO.DAT and EPO.MD5 to 7777 (read, write, execute, etc..)

- Check that now Android can download and recognize the EPO files (with 1 month between the 2 dates)

What you can DO to make your GPS better and faster:

a) Download GPS.CONF from your country (e.g. this is from Portugal: LINK). Copy it to /etc (delete the one that was there previously)

(alternatively, use the "PIMP MY ROM" software)

b) Reboot

c) Go to an excelent visibility site (if possible, with clear sky)

d) Enter Engineering Mode: dial nr *#*#3646633#*#*

e) EPO TAB: Enable EPO

f) A-GPS TAB: Enable A-GPS

--- Allow network initiated request

--- Allow EM notifications

g) GPS TAB: GPS(ON)

h) Use "GPS TEST" app to clear the A-GPS, and then start checking the sattelite coverage

i) If it is your first time: WAIT... WAIT.. WAIT... It can take 20mins or more to catch the first satellite. then the second one... slowly... until you get a FIX... and then the accuracy will progressively be better

On next usage (even after reboot), the GPS will be ready and probably get a fix in less than 30seconds!

j) Install a navigation Software (eg: Ndrive or one from GooglePlay)

[Source: several, buy mainly XDA-DEVELOPERS]

OP7 - Install Flash Player

Just install this app: http://www.multiupload.nl/72WANNVLKP

(it works on Android 4.1.2 JellyBean straight from the standard browser/Navigator, but you can also try Dolphin browser)